editorNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Carrie Johnson is a Justice Correspondent for the Washington Desk.She covers a wide variety of stories about justice issues, law enforcement and legal affairs for NPR's flagship programs Morning Edition and All Things Considered, as well as the Newscasts and NPR.org.While in this role, Johnson has chronicled major challenges to the landmark voting rights law, a botched law enforcement operation targeting gun traffickers along the Southwest border, and the Obama administration's deadly drone program for suspected terrorists overseas.Prior to coming to NPR in 2010, Johnson worked at the Washington Post for 10 years, where she closely observed the FBI, the Justice Department and criminal trials of the former leaders of Enron, HealthSouth and Tyco. Earlier in her career, she wrote about courts for the weekly publication Legal Times.Outside of her role at NPR, Johnson regularly moderates or appears on legal panels for the American Bar Association, the American Constitution Society, theNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Carrie JohnsonWed, 30 Nov 2016 08:11:43 +0000Carrie Johnsonhttp://wyso.org
Carrie JohnsonThe advice President Obama has offered his successor is mostly under wraps. But the outgoing commander-in-chief made a point of going on the record with this wisdom for President-elect Donald Trump: hire a good lawyer and listen to him.Trump has selected elections expert Don McGahn as his new White House counsel. McGahn will have a lot of work to do, mostly behind the scenes. Veterans of the office said if the White House counsel is doing their job the right way, hardly anyone knows their name.The alternative goes something like this: "We have a cancer within, close to the presidency that's growing," then-White House counsel John Dean advised President Richard Nixon in March 1973, as the Watergate scandal festered. "It's growing daily."Preventing scandals is a key part of any counsel's job. But the work gets even harder when the president-elect operates a multinational business empire and some of his cabinet choices have a lot of private investments."I think that will be a massiveFor Trump's White House Lawyer, Policing Conflicts Will Be 'Massive Undertaking'http://wyso.org/post/policing-conflicts-will-be-massive-undertaking-trumps-white-house-lawyer
88950 as http://wyso.orgTue, 29 Nov 2016 21:28:00 +0000For Trump's White House Lawyer, Policing Conflicts Will Be 'Massive Undertaking'Carrie JohnsonPresident-elect Donald Trump has chosen Donald McGahn, a longtime Washington lawyer who once led the Federal Election Commission, to be his White House counsel, his transition team announced Friday."Don has a brilliant legal mind, excellent character and a deep understanding of constitutional law," Trump said in a statement, referring to the lawyer who served as both his campaign and transition attorney. "He will play a critical role in our administration, and I am grateful that he is willing to serve our country at such a high-level capacity."McGahn said he was "honored to continue advising President-elect Trump in the Trump-Pence Administration. President-elect Trump is a bold leader committed to draining the swamp in Washington and restoring economic prosperity and security. I look forward to serving the American public in this role."McGahn is a partner at the Jones Day law firm in Washington, where he has long represented candidates and elected officials.Unlike many people in TrumpTrump Picks Former FEC Chairman As His White House Counsel http://wyso.org/post/trump-picks-former-fec-chairman-his-white-house-counsel
88828 as http://wyso.orgFri, 25 Nov 2016 19:43:00 +0000Trump Picks Former FEC Chairman As His White House Counsel Carrie Johnson Updated at 11:45 a.m. ETPresident-elect Donald Trump announced his selections today for three key posts: Michael Flynn for national security adviser, Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general and Rep. Mike Pompeo for CIA director.Trump's selections signal that he is prioritizing loyalty as he chooses nominees for top posts — turning to people who were early and outspoken supporters of his campaign.Sessions is a former U.S. attorney and current senator with lengthy experience with the Justice Department, but whose nomination for a federal judgeship was tanked by reports of racist comments. Flynn, a former lieutenant general, was pushed out of his role as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014 after clashing with top staffers. Pompeo is a representative who served both on the House Intelligence Committee and on the Benghazi committee.The attorney general and CIA director nominees will need to be confirmed by the Senate. The national security adviser does not need SenateTrump Names Picks For National Security Adviser, Attorney General, CIA Directorhttp://wyso.org/post/trump-name-picks-national-security-adviser-attorney-general-cia-director
88574 as http://wyso.orgFri, 18 Nov 2016 14:02:00 +0000Trump Names Picks For National Security Adviser, Attorney General, CIA DirectorCarrie JohnsonAdvisers to President-elect Donald Trump are considering whether to retain FBI Director James Comey after the agency became an issue in one of the most divisive campaigns in modern history, three sources told NPR.Comey has nearly seven years left to serve in his 10-year term. The FBI director's position extends beyond the term of any single president to help insulate the bureau from political forces as it pursues sensitive criminal and national security investigations.But that arrangement failed to protect the FBI from fierce criticism over its handling of the investigation of classified information on Democrat Hillary Clinton's private email server. The FBI had all but cleared Clinton in July, only to notify Congress it had renewed investigative steps 11 days before the election. The FBI acted despite Justice Department traditions that direct investigators to steer clear of actions that could influence the outcome of an election.Two days before Election Day, Comey ultimately concludedTrump Advisers Assess Whether To Keep FBI Director James Comeyhttp://wyso.org/post/trump-advisers-assess-whether-keep-fbi-director-james-comey
88418 as http://wyso.orgMon, 14 Nov 2016 18:59:00 +0000Trump Advisers Assess Whether To Keep FBI Director James ComeyCarrie JohnsonCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit GREENE, HOST: Everybody knows when you are accused of a crime, you get a lawyer. But in practice, that is not the case for thousands of kids. The Justice Department says about half the young people locked up in detention facilities never had an attorney. And now, a new report finds that even when juveniles do get legal advice, it often comes from lawyers who urge them to plead guilty. Here's NPR's Carrie Johnson. CARRIE JOHNSON, BYLINE: The young woman from Baltimore sitting across the table and sipping a cup of tea entered the justice system when she was just eight years old. Home was no longer a safe place because, she says, she was being raped by someone close to her. NPR'S not using her name because she's the victim of abuse. The state removed her from her home and put her into a facility, where she says another juvenile beat her with a lock. UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: No, I didn't understand my rights. I ended up in a juvenile system from one of myReport: Juveniles Lack Legal Advice; Often Urged To Plead Guiltyhttp://wyso.org/post/report-juveniles-lack-legal-advice-often-urged-plead-guilty
88403 as http://wyso.orgMon, 14 Nov 2016 12:28:00 +0000Report: Juveniles Lack Legal Advice; Often Urged To Plead GuiltyCarrie JohnsonDonald Trump has been elected the 45th president of the United States, the capstone of a tumultuous and divisive campaign that won over white voters with the promise to "Make America Great Again."Trump crossed the 270 electoral vote threshold at 2:31 a.m. ET with a victory in Wisconsin, according to Associated Press projections.The rise of Trump, a candidate with no prior experience in the military or elected office, confounded nearly everyone in politics. Improbably, the real estate scion turned reality TV star had not even been a member of the Republican Party for long. That made his victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton even more stunning, preventing her from becoming the nation's first female president.Taking the stage to cheers, Trump said Clinton had called him to offer her congratulations and to concede the race."Now it's time for America to bind the wounds of division and get together," he told supporters in New York City. "It is time for us to come together as oneDonald Trump Clinches The Presidency In Major Upsethttp://wyso.org/post/donald-trump-clinches-presidency-major-upset
88213 as http://wyso.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 07:34:00 +0000Donald Trump Clinches The Presidency In Major UpsetCarrie JohnsonCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit SIEGEL, HOST: The biggest controversy haunting Hillary Clinton's campaign has been given new life. The FBI investigation into Clinton's private email server is not over. More than three months after the Justice Department finished the probe with no criminal charges, the FBI director dropped a bombshell. James Comey told Congress, FBI agents have discovered emails that appear to be related to a review of classified information on the server that Clinton used as secretary of state. This evening, Hillary Clinton responded. And with us to talk about this is NPR justice correspondent Carrie Johnson. Carrie, first, what exactly is the FBI looking at now? CARRIE JOHNSON, BYLINE: The FBI director sent a letter to oversight committees in Congress saying his agents learned about new emails that appear to be pertinent to the Clinton email probe. In September, James Comey told lawmakers he'd look at any new information that emerged and, Robert, that's what'sHillary Clinton Calls On FBI To Release Information On Newly Discovered Emailshttp://wyso.org/post/hillary-clinton-calls-fbi-release-information-newly-discovered-emails
87768 as http://wyso.orgFri, 28 Oct 2016 23:58:00 +0000Hillary Clinton Calls On FBI To Release Information On Newly Discovered EmailsCarrie JohnsonThe public may soon get its first glimpse at the former National Security Agency contractor who allegedly embarked on a 20-year campaign to take home national security secrets, an effort the Justice Department calls "breathtaking in its longevity and scale."Harold T. Martin III is expected to appear at a federal courthouse in Baltimore on Friday for a hearing to consider whether he should remain in U.S. custody, as prosecutors announced in a court filing that they plan to file Espionage Act charges against him.The FBI is investigating whether Martin may have transferred six bankers boxes' worth of paper documents and 50,000 gigabytes of electronic materials to anyone else, according to documents filed Thursday. So far, investigators said they have not found any connection to a foreign power. Martin's public defenders, James Wyda and Deborah Boardman, have said that he presents no flight risk and that "there's no evidence he intended to betray his country."Martin, a former NavyU.S. Calls Alleged Theft By NSA Contractor 'Breathtaking' In Longevity, Scalehttp://wyso.org/post/us-calls-alleged-theft-nsa-contractor-breathtaking-longevity-scale
87449 as http://wyso.orgThu, 20 Oct 2016 21:14:00 +0000U.S. Calls Alleged Theft By NSA Contractor 'Breathtaking' In Longevity, ScaleCarrie JohnsonCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit INSKEEP, HOST: The man once known as President Obama's favorite general pleaded guilty to a felony charge. He's retired four-star Marine General James Cartwright. He admits to making false statements to FBI agents as they probed media leaks. NPR justice correspondent Carrie Johnson was at the courthouse in Washington for the guilty plea. She's on the line. Hi, Carrie. CARRIE JOHNSON, BYLINE: Good morning, Steve. INSKEEP: How important is General Cartwright? JOHNSON: He was critically important to the Obama administration and to the president personally. He served as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And that's the second-highest ranking member of the armed forces. INSKEEP: Yeah. JOHNSON: He retired back in 2012, Steve. INSKEEP: OK, and how did he end up under FBI investigation? JOHNSON: There were leaks about a secret plan to disrupt the Iranian nuclear program through a computer worm known as Stuxnet. INSKEEP: Right. JOHNSON: ThatRetired Marine General Pleads Guilty To Lying In Leak Probehttp://wyso.org/post/retired-marine-general-pleads-guilty-lying-leak-probe
87341 as http://wyso.orgTue, 18 Oct 2016 12:02:00 +0000Retired Marine General Pleads Guilty To Lying In Leak ProbeCarrie JohnsonHillary Clinton said she decided to employ a private email server "for the purpose of convenience" in early 2009 and doesn't remember "specific consultations" about using that account to conduct State Department business, the Democratic presidential nominee told lawyers in material related to a Freedom of Information Act case released Thursday.In written responses to 25 questions from the conservative group Judicial Watch, Clinton largely hewed to her prior statements about the email controversy, often saying she did not recall details about the arrangement. Clinton signed the court filing "under penalty of perjury" on October 10, one day after her debate with Republican nominee Donald Trump.Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, have tangled with Judicial Watch for more than 20 years.Some of that friction showed in her answers over 20-odd pages, littered with objections. At times, the candidate accused the conservative nonprofit of misstating her earlier remarks.OnIn New Responses, Hillary Clinton Insists Email Setup A Matter Of 'Convenience' http://wyso.org/post/new-responses-hillary-clinton-insists-email-setup-matter-convenience
87195 as http://wyso.orgThu, 13 Oct 2016 23:15:00 +0000In New Responses, Hillary Clinton Insists Email Setup A Matter Of 'Convenience' Carrie JohnsonForgive yourself if you've never heard the name Rod Rosenstein.The U.S. attorney in Baltimore came into public view this week for prosecuting a contractor accused of stealing National Security Agency secrets. But for most of his 11 years in office, Rosenstein has been the opposite of flashy — even as he outlasted all of his counterparts from the George W. Bush years and most of them from the Obama administration, too."You know for the past eight or nine years, people ask me my plans, I tell them that I expect to be in this job this year and I have no plans for next year," Rosenstein said in a recent interview.His children were 3 and 5 when he took the job. They're in high school now. "My daughter tells me she'd like me to set a record but that's probably not in my future," he said.The job is a political prize and, often, a steppingstone for people who want to serve as governor or senator. But former Baltimore State's Attorney Gregg Bernstein says that is not his friend's style — andProsecutor Leading NSA Secrets Case Is The Ultimate Survivorhttp://wyso.org/post/prosecutor-leading-nsa-secrets-case-ultimate-survivor
86954 as http://wyso.orgThu, 06 Oct 2016 20:34:00 +0000Prosecutor Leading NSA Secrets Case Is The Ultimate SurvivorCarrie JohnsonU.S. intelligence officials have identified four major cyber adversaries targeting American businesses and infrastructure, from China and North Korea to Iran. Only one — Russia — has yet to be publicly blamed by the Obama administration in a strategy that national security experts have dubbed "naming and shaming."But after senior Democrats in Congress pointed the finger at Russia for hacking into the Democratic National Committee and trying to infiltrate the voter registration systems in nearly two dozen states, that may be about to change."I would just say to any of those out there considering whether or not to try to harm the United States through cyber means, we have a message, which is: we can figure out who did it, and when we do, we're not afraid to impose consequences, and we will," Assistant U.S. Attorney General John Carlin told NPR in an interview this week.Carlin declined to say whether indictments against anyone in Russia were imminent. He added: "We would take very veryDOJ National Security Chief 'Not Afraid To Impose Consequences' On Hackershttp://wyso.org/post/doj-national-security-chief-not-afraid-impose-consequences-hackers
86852 as http://wyso.orgTue, 04 Oct 2016 10:00:00 +0000DOJ National Security Chief 'Not Afraid To Impose Consequences' On HackersCarrie JohnsonCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.Lawmakers On The Hill Grill FBI Director Over Email Investigationshttp://wyso.org/post/lawmakers-hill-grill-fbi-director-over-email-investigations
86649 as http://wyso.orgWed, 28 Sep 2016 20:21:00 +0000Lawmakers On The Hill Grill FBI Director Over Email InvestigationsCarrie JohnsonNewly released FBI data show the number of murders in the U.S. rose nearly 11 percent last year and violent crime increased by nearly 4 percent, but crime researchers said homicides and other violence still remain at low rates compared with a crime wave from 20 years ago.Seven cities are largely responsible for the increase in murders last year, according to John Pfaff, a law professor at Fordham University who closely follows crime: Baltimore; Chicago; Houston; Washington, D.C.; Milwaukee; Philadelphia; and Kansas City, Mo. That pattern has not held steady into 2016, as homicides in some places, including Baltimore and Washington, D.C., have dropped.The FBI says firearms were used in more than 70 percent of the murders last year.Pfaff noted on Twitter, "The number of rapes is less than in 2009, the number of robberies less than in ... 2013, and assaults less than in 2010. Still quite safe."But for the Justice Department, the rise in homicides and some other violent crime compared withFBI: Murders Up Nearly 11 Percent In 2015; Violent Crime Rose Slightlyhttp://wyso.org/post/fbi-violent-crime-rose-slightly-2015-murders-nearly-11-percent
86535 as http://wyso.orgMon, 26 Sep 2016 14:07:00 +0000FBI: Murders Up Nearly 11 Percent In 2015; Violent Crime Rose SlightlyCarrie JohnsonLaw and order has been a major theme this year on the campaign trail. But that means very different things to the two major party presidential candidates.With just under two months to go before the November election, we're taking a closer look at where Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump stand on issues of crime and policing.Crime and ViolenceTrump has made what he calls a return to law and order a centerpiece of his campaign. Trump devoted a lot of time to the issue in his address to the Republican National Convention, where he vowed: "The crime and violence that today afflicts our nation will soon, and I mean very soon, come to an end. Beginning on January 20th of 2017, safety will be restored."Trump recently told the International Association of Chiefs of Police in a written questionnaire that he would reduce crime by enforcing federal statutes that cover illegal immigration, drug trafficking and human trafficking.While murder and violent crime are on the rise in several big cities,The Issues: How Clinton And Trump Come Down On Law And Orderhttp://wyso.org/post/issues-how-clinton-and-trump-come-down-law-and-order
86440 as http://wyso.orgThu, 22 Sep 2016 09:07:00 +0000The Issues: How Clinton And Trump Come Down On Law And OrderCarrie JohnsonViolent crime is likely to rise slightly this year in the nation's 30 largest cities, and murders will increase too, mostly because of problems in one place--Chicago — according to a new, preliminary analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice.The center, a nonpartisan group that monitors developments in law and justice, said only Chicago has endured a year-over-year rise in both violent crime and homicides in 2015 and 2016. Overall, analysts said, violent crime remains near record lows."Crime goes up and down in the short term," said Inimai Chettiar, director of the justice program at the Brennan Center at New York University School of Law. "It's definitely too early to tell what's happening in these cities and whether this is a long-term trend we should be concerned about or whether this is a year-to-year fluctuation."The Brennan data follows a study by the New York Times that found murders up in 25 of the country's 100 largest cities last year. Criminologists and justice advocatesStudy: Violent Crime And Murders Slightly On The Rise This Year In Largest Citieshttp://wyso.org/post/study-violent-crime-and-murders-slightly-rise-year-largest-cities
86340 as http://wyso.orgMon, 19 Sep 2016 09:01:00 +0000Study: Violent Crime And Murders Slightly On The Rise This Year In Largest CitiesCarrie JohnsonCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit CORNISH, HOST: Now for an issue that doesn't get a lot of time on the campaign trail but will be something the next president has to deal with - what to do about the nation's growing patchwork of marijuana laws. That's our topic on this week's Platform Check, where we examine what the candidates would do if they were president. NPR's justice correspondent Carrie Johnson is in the studio with us. Welcome back, Carrie. CARRIE JOHNSON, BYLINE: Hey, Audie. CORNISH: So nine states will vote on marijuana-related ballot measures this fall. Five would legalize the drug for recreational use, four for medical use. But under federal law right now, it's still illegal to possess or sell marijuana, right? JOHNSON: Absolutely. Marijuana is tightly restricted under the Controlled Substances Act. Authorities believe it has a high potential for abuse, and there's no federal currently accepted medical use. Under the law, it gets the same treatment as heroin and LSD.Platform Check: Presidential Candidates On Legalizing Marijuanahttp://wyso.org/post/platform-check-presidential-candidates-legalizing-marijuana
85973 as http://wyso.orgThu, 08 Sep 2016 22:03:00 +0000Platform Check: Presidential Candidates On Legalizing MarijuanaCarrie JohnsonRepublican presidential nominee Donald Trump has been calling for a criminal investigation of his political opponent Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail this year. Trump is angry the FBI probe of Clinton's email server ended with no charges.Now, he says, an independent outsider needs to look at the Clinton Foundation."The Justice Department is required to appoint an independent special prosecutor because it has proven itself to be really, sadly, a political arm of the White House," Trump said in Akron, Ohio, last week.Trump has offered no evidence to back up his claims that the Justice Department has been corrupted. But his call for a special prosecutor sounds familiar to people who study the intersection of law and politics."If you look at the chronology, pretty much the political party that does not control the White House tends to want special prosecutors and independent counsel laws," said Ken Gormley, president of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and the author of two books onTrump Wants A Special Prosecutor For Clinton. But They Can Be Political Weapons, Toohttp://wyso.org/post/trump-wants-special-prosecutor-clinton-they-can-be-political-weapons-too
85713 as http://wyso.orgThu, 01 Sep 2016 19:11:00 +0000Trump Wants A Special Prosecutor For Clinton. But They Can Be Political Weapons, TooCarrie JohnsonPresident Obama shortened the prison sentences of 111 inmates Tuesday, including 35 people who had expected to spend the rest of their lives in federal custody, authorities told NPR.Word of the new batch of clemency grants came as the second in command at the Justice Department told NPR that lawyers there have worked through an enormous backlog of drug cases and, despite doubts from prisoner advocates, they will be able to consider each of the thousands of applications from drug criminals before Obama leaves office in 2017."At our current pace, we are confident that we will be able to review and make a recommendation to the president on every single drug petition we currently have," Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates said.The early releases apply to mostly nonviolent drug offenders who would have received lighter punishments if they committed the same crimes today. The new commutations mean this White House has granted 673 commutations, more than the past 10 presidents combined.Obama Grants Clemency To 111 Prisoners; DOJ 'Confident' It Will Clear Backloghttp://wyso.org/post/obama-grants-clemency-100-prisoners-doj-confident-it-will-clear-backlog
85626 as http://wyso.orgTue, 30 Aug 2016 19:06:00 +0000Obama Grants Clemency To 111 Prisoners; DOJ 'Confident' It Will Clear BacklogCarrie JohnsonThe decorated former Navy SEAL who penned a best-selling book about the operation to kill Osama bin Laden has reached a financial settlement with the U.S. Justice Department.Matthew Bissonnette has agreed to forfeit "all of the proceeds" he received from the book, No Easy Day, which court papers peg at $6.64 million. Bissonnette offered a formal apology for failing to submit the book for review by authorities before it was published."I acted on the advice of my former attorney, but I now fully recognize that his advice was wrong," Bissonnette's apology said. "It was a serious error that I urge others not to repeat."Bissonnette launched the book in 2012, under the pen name Mark Owen, as public demand spiked for information about the raid that killed bin Laden. In connection with his 14-year military service, including a stint as a member of the storied SEAL Team 6, Bissonnette had signed documents agreeing to protect national security secrets.But the government said he failed to seekFormer Navy SEAL Settles With Authorities Over Bin Laden Raid Bookhttp://wyso.org/post/former-navy-seal-settles-authorities-over-bin-laden-raid-book
85187 as http://wyso.orgFri, 19 Aug 2016 16:45:00 +0000Former Navy SEAL Settles With Authorities Over Bin Laden Raid Book